a reminder.

Fourteen years ago today, I woke up in my parents home, as I was living there at the time. It was a particularly beautiful day, I remember well. Much like today, actually. My parents were already awake, and sipping their morning cups of coffee while looking at the newspaper and watching the news on tv, as I made my way downstairs. Half-awake, I shuffled over to the cereal cabinet. I opened the cabinet, reached up for a box of Special K Red Berries, and pulled it down. I then reached up to the left of me for a bowl and brought it down to the counter. I can't remember if it was a new box, or already open, but I recall watching the corn flakes and bright red freeze dried strawberries spill into the bowl as my father, in a voice I almost didn't recognize, softly said, "Jenny, look at this." I turned to the television, and saw an image of the World Trade Towers in New York City, one of them with a massive billow of black smoke pouring from the top of it. "A plane flew into the tower", said my dad with confusion and fear lingering in his voice. And just then, we saw it coming. My mom gasped softly, and my Dad said, "Oh my god, no...". And we watched, in what seems like slow motion in my memory, a commercial jet fly directly into the second tower.

And then I felt a feeling I had never felt before. A feeling I am not sure I can describe, except to say that I was scared. I felt, for the very first time as an American citizen, unsafe. I felt sad, and mad, and I wanted to call all of my closest friends who were just back off to College out of state to make sure they were all ok. I wanted to be there, be present for my country, and the people who were hurting. I knew, in this exact moment, that everything was about to change.

I have a friend who shared on her Facebook page today how 14 years ago today she was supposed to be on the flight that ultimately flew into the pentagon. She had changed her flight, by chance. I wanted to share some of what she wrote because in life, we HAVE to find a way to keep living and loving and seeing the beauty, otherwise what is the point? This can be hard to grasp when there is so much dark in the world. But she puts it perfectly;

"Ive had a hard time digesting this truth... how close I was to being one of the lives lost on this sad day. Why not me? Why them? I can never find an answer that makes sense. Actually a lot of this life doesn't make sense.. why some people have go and some get to stay.. why some are sick and others remain well.. the list goes on. I've just come to the conclusion I don't have to make sense of life.. I just get to enjoy it and respect it and be thankful for it. And honor those that have gone by making every moment count. Today reminds me to embrace life - cherish it - never take it for granted - to live and breathe and laugh through it all. I will NEVER FORGET."

Hug your friends and family extra hard today, and every day. Take a little more time to appreciate the beauty of this life, notice the sunrise and sunset, drive with your windows down because you can, go for a walk, breath in the fresh air. Love your life and be thankful for all you have.

Love and peace to you all..

xo

J

Angela + Sarah // Branford, CT // Seaside Wedding

This summer has brought some pretty amazing couples my way, and I was so honored to be a part of Angela and Sarah's big day at the Owenego Beach Club and Inn in beautiful Branford, Connecticut. Everything about the day was beautiful; the weather, the house they rented down the street from the Inn for the before and after parties, the people, and the Owenego Inn itself with its bright white wood walls and ceiling and wrap around decks. The incredible view we had overlooking Long Island Sound kept us all in constant awe, especially as we watched the sunset from a large rock that jets out from the beach. Some people hung out on the deck in the gazebo all night wrapped in blankets watching fireworks over the water in the distance. And the dance party was on point(as you can see from the photos)!!

Angela and Sarah were glowing with love all day and night, and their amazing families and friends were some of the most fun, laid back, and loving people I have ever encountered. I left the Inn that night feeling so uplifted having been in the presence of that much joy all day long. It really is contagious!

Thank you both, Sarah and Angela, for inviting me to be a part of your special day. I wish you both a lifetime full of as much joy, love, and good old fun as you had this very day.

xo

Jennifer

venue: Owenego Inn and Beach Club, Branford, CT ~ brides dresses: Oleg Cassini, David's Bridal ~ MOB dresses; Stars, Avon, CT and R&J's NYC ~ Cake and Cupcakes: Gus Fernandez ~ Cupcake tower: Tom Woodbury ~ Bride's safety pins: Kristy Jensen ~ Center pieces: Kristy Jensen

A very special thank you to my second photographer, Mike Peterson! 

Vanessa + Étienne // Québec, Québec Wedding

What can I say about these two. Words can't even describe the abundance of love and emotion that was present on this gorgeous summer day in Québec. I can tell you that from the moment we got there to the moment I packed my bags and left I was overwhelmed with the joy that these friends and families shared with Vanessa and Étienne, and their two little loves, Jack and Victoria. 

I am not kidding when I say that I cried multiple times throughout the day. The love between these two is a very special kind and I am beyond honored and privileged to have been chosen to capture this special day for them and their friends and families. 

Il n'y'a pas de mots pour décrire ces deux amoureux. Il y'avait tellement d'amour et d'émotion présent en cette belle journée d'été à Québec. Je peux certainement vous dire que du moment où je suis arrivé au moment de mon départ, j'ai été touché profondément par la joie que ces amis et familles ont partagé avec Vanessa, Étienne, et leur deux enfants, Jack et Victoria. 

C'est vrai quand je dis que j'ai pleuré plusieurs fois pendant la journée! L'amour entre ces deux est unique et je suis tellement honorée et privilégié d'avoir été choisi pour capturé cette journée magique pour eux.

Un gros gros MERCI à mes deuxième et troisième photographes; Melanie Vallerand, et Ariane Piché-Morin!!!

Jamie + Steve // Calais, Vermont Wedding

On a Friday afternoon in late June I packed up my car and hit the road for a tiny little town just outside of Montpelier, Vermont to photograph Jamie and Steve's rustic, DIY wedding! 

I was meeting my good friend and second shooter, Jason Langevin at a little airbnb cabin in this quaint woodsy town of Calais, Vermont about four hours from Quebec City. I knew the weekend was going to be epic when the last thirty minutes of my drive was on straight up dirt roads.

Jamie and Steve's day began at a family friend's home about four minutes from where we were staying(everything was within four minutes of everything). Jamie and her bridesmaids were out on the patio arranging the bouquets in between their hair and makeup.

Steve and his groomsmen spent the night at a sweet little lake cottage(about four minutes away) and spent the morning eating hot dogs and drinking beers before heading over to the Old West Church(again, four minutes away).

This church was incredible! Built in 1825, it is a perfect example of an 18th-century New England meeting house with it's cubical pew arrangement, elevated podium and entouring second floor balcony. It screams New England charm! The reception was on a local neighbors property(four minutes away), up on a large hill overlooking the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

It was breathtaking. The entire day. From start to finish.. the weather, the flowers, the hair, the dresses, everyone breaking into song and clapping during the ceremony singing Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, the pickup trucks, the view, the hilarious speeches, the food, the friend who brewed his own kegs of beer for the event, the mason jars, the library cards as seat assignments, the paper cranes, the plywood stage, the dancing, the band, the cupcakes, the gray clouds that came rolling in as the evening went on and ended the night with a massive storm, but most importantly: the PEOPLE. 

Thank you Jamie and Steve for trusting me to capture this very special day in the story of your lives. I feel so honored to have been able to be there to witness the crazy amount of love that surrounds you both. Your families and friends are living proof of the love that you share and I wish you many many many more years of crazy dancing, laughing, amazing friendships, and joy together. Something tells me you won't be lacking any of it.

xoxo

bride's dresses: Gallina for David's Bridal, groom's suit: Pronto Uomo for Mens Warehouse, invitations and menus: Jamie Connor and Rachael Clark, Flowers: Lisa Flloyd and and Debbie Clark, paper cranes: Jamie Connor and Emilie Connor

thank you again Jason Langevin for coming with me to second shoot this awesome day! xo

Jamie + Steve // engagement // Montpelier, Vermont

On my 34th birthday, Mathieu and I drove down to Connecticut with our girls to spend the weekend with my family and close friends. On our way down we stopped off in Montpelier for a quick evening engagement shoot with this gorgeous couple, who also happen to be the winners of my Wedding Giveaway Contest!!! This was the first time we were meeting, and I couldn't be luckier to have them as my clients. They were so easy going, and their adorable dog Mocha was just an added bonus. What was supposed to be just a thirty minute shoot turned into over an hour as we kept chatting and discovering sweet little allyways and cafés down State Street and onto Main.

Our session ended on a green between two buildings where Mathieu, our girls, some of our mutual friends and their daughter were all eating pizza and enjoying the warm spring evening. After a little more conversation, we said goodbye and walked back to the car. Mathieu looked up and noticed something on our windshield. 'Oh man, did I get a ticket??' He asked out loud. It was almost  dark now, so it was hard to tell what it was on the car. As we got closer, we noticed there was a bouquet of flowers stuck under the wiper!

'Awww babe you got me flowers for my birthday! You're so sweet!!'
'Ummm, no actually I didn't.'
'What do you mean?? haha you're joking right?'
'Ha! No, I wish I could take the credit, trust me!' was his response.
'Well if you didn't, who did? Dayna and Scott?' (These are friends of ours who were there also with their daughter..) 
'No, it couldn't have been them. They didn't walk back this way.' Mathieu confirmed.
'So you think it was Jamie and Steve??'

As we got into the car I shot Jamie a text and sure enough, she responded with a 'Happy birthday.' How sweet?? Such a simple little gesture can make someone feel so special. I seriously couldn't have asked for a better birthday evening.

This is why I am drawn to photography. I am so privileged to be able to be a part of such an incredible time of people's lives.. the gratitude is immeasurable. Needless to say, I could not be more excited to photograph their sure to be swoon-worthy wedding day next month!

For now, some sneak peeks from this sweet Vermont evening in late April.